Full Bibliography by Author

Correct answers concerning the origins of past civilizations in the Americas were not found until the Book of Mormon was published. Discusses mounds in North and South America. Notes distinct historical periods in Mexico, Central America, and Peru.

Correct answers concerning the origins of past civilizations in the Americas were not found until the Book of Mormon was published. Discusses mounds in North and South America. Notes distinct historical periods in Mexico, Central America, and Peru.

Correct answers concerning the origins of past civilizations in the Americas were not found until the Book of Mormon was published. Discusses mounds in North and South America. Notes distinct historical periods in Mexico, Central America, and Peru.

Correct answers concerning the origins of past civilizations in the Americas were not found until the Book of Mormon was published. Discusses mounds in North and South America. Notes distinct historical periods in Mexico, Central America, and Peru.

I now view creation not as something that occurred long ago but as a process that continues today in which we are given the sacred privilege to participate.

Maintains that it is possible to identify geographical locations of the Book of Mormon. Asserts that the “Land of Nephi was . . . in the southern half of Costa Rica, between the 9th and 10th north degree parallel, south of the great wilderness. Bountiful . . . was very close to [the] 11° north parallel”

Review of Thomas R. Valletta, gen. ed. The Book of Mormon for Latter-day Saint Families. Review of Thomas R. Valletta, gen. ed. The New Testament for Latter-day Saint Families.

A theory proposed by E. D. Howe (Mormonism Unveiled) purports that Sidney Rigdon stole Spaulding’s manuscript and rewrote it for Joseph Smith to publish. It was research into the history of the manuscript that led to the conclusion that the Book of Mormon and Spaulding manuscript are not related. An excerpt from the manuscript is reprinted and Spaulding’s religious beliefs are explored. Rigdon’s denial is included.

This is a reprint from Western Reserve Historical Society 3:185-200, and is also found in Tract #77, March 23, 1886, RLDS Church. The author concludes that Spaulding’s Manuscript Lost and the Book of Mormon are not related, contrary to the theory suggested by Howe’s Mormonism Unvailed. An excerpt from Manuscript Lost is reprinted as well as Spaulding’s feelings about the Christian religion and the Bible. Rigdon’s denial that he wrote the book is included.

Draws comparisons between the Book of Mormon and the Spaulding manuscript and concludes that there is no resemblance between the two.

Fairchild gives his opinion, after comparing the Book of Mormon with the Spaulding manuscript, that there is “no resemblance between the two”

Lessons are learned in a home—the place that can become a piece of heaven here on earth.

The most valuable power we can possess is the treasure of a personal testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This book presents the scholar, historian, lawyer, and general student of the Bible with a highly readable and useful handbook. First published in Jerusalem in 1964, this concise yet knowledgeable treatise remains illuminating. Its skillful organization makes it the most accessible of all introductions to biblical law. Falk’s research is grounded in historical, sociological, linguistic, and comparative data. His work yields interesting insights about technical legal terminology, vital social information behind the Israelite legal system, and broad perspectives on law among Israel’s neighbors, the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Egyptians. Alongside its discussions of homicide, torts, property, contracts, slavery, and divorce, this book includes sections on law and religion, divine judgment, collective responsibility, blasphemy, and religious elements in biblical family law. These studies make it clear that Hebrew law in biblical times cannot be understood except as an integrated system of social institutions and religious values.

“What Deb and I have found around the country is that the closer up you see the United States—the more you are at the neighborhood and community level—the more hopeful you feel.”

“What Deb and I have found around the country is that the closer up you see the United States—the more you are at the neighborhood and community level—the more hopeful you feel.”

This polemical book recounts the history of the Book of Mormon and examines selected verses from the book in an attempt to discredit it.

A general overview of the main characters and events in the Book of Mormon, illustrated in color and probably intended for youth.

Samuel, Moroni's Young Warrier (1993), by Clair Poulson.

Review of Frank B. Salisbury. The Case for Divine Design: Cells, Complexity, and Creation.

I have good memories of my BYU experience as a student—ward activities, teaching at the MTC, intramural football games, challenging business classes, and weekly devotionals here in the Marriott Center. But I didn’t really appreciate what BYU offered until I had graduated and left the campus.

A presentation of photographs, notes, and comments dealing with ancient South and Central America. Discusses Hebrew and Egyptian parallels in the New World, four brothers as founders of the early South American culture, Christianity before Columbus, cement roads, and the use of metal. This work is reviewed in S.515.

Presents archaeological findings from ancient America that provide support for the Book of Mormon.

Contains pictures and explanations of ancient American cities, statues, and water systems. The author shows how the ancient American ruins are closely related to the remnants found in Old World civilizations such as those of the Egyptians, Saxons, Hebrews, and others.

Large booklet with black and white photographs depicting ruins in Latin America. One of the great discoveries that has been made is an exact date of the arrival of the Mayas. This date was deciphered from Mayan hieroglyphics and scientists claim it to be August 6, 613 B.C.

This series is a presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

The admonitions that we receive from our leaders to attend church, pray, read the scriptures, and remain worthy of the influence of the Holy Ghost can be viewed as reminders to regularly correct our courses by reference to divine standards.

This series is a presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

A presentation of photographs of Ancient American ruins, accompanied by brief descriptions and comments.

An aerial photograph of a defensive wall in Peru that “extends roughly due east from the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Santa River” It is compared with Alma 50:9- 11.

Large drawings designed for children illustrate the text of 3 Nephi, wherein Jesus visited the Nephites and blessed the children.

Looks at geographical and historical aspects of Central America and Mexico, seeking external evidence in support of the Book of Mormon.

An excerpt from the Autobiography of Thurlow Weed explains that Joseph Smith had approached Mr. Weed, a publisher, to print the Book of Mormon. Mr. Weed refused to print the work.

The Book of Mormon presents evidence that a single prophet wrote the book of Isaiah, not three, as biblical scholars have maintained.

Latter-day Saint philosopher James E. Faulconer’s Made Harder series raises many more questions than it answers. And that is precisely the point. Faulconer wrote The Book of Mormon Made Harder on the premise that our scripture study is only as good as the questions we bring to the endeavor. While many books about the Book of Mormon provide useful shortcuts, chapter synopses, timelines, and memorizable bullet-points, this book consists almost entirely of challenging questions (with occasional commentary for clarity’s sake) because, in Faulconer’s experience, questions themselves are the key to reflective and deep scripture study. This book is intended to make reading harder—and therefore fresher—by priming your pondering pump with insightful study questions. So much of modern life is geared to finding faster and easier ways to do the same old things. The Made Harder series is proof that making things easier does not always make them better.

Latter-day Saint philosopher James E. Faulconer’s Made Harder series raises many more questions than it answers. And that is precisely the point. Faulconer wrote The Doctrine & Covenants Made Harder on the premise that our scripture study is only as good as the questions we bring to the endeavor. The book consists almost entirely of challenging questions (with occasional commentary for clarity’s sake) because, in Faulconer’s experience, questions themselves are the key to reflective and deep scripture study. This book is intended to make reading harder—and therefore fresher—by priming your pondering pump with insightful study questions. So much of modern life is geared to finding faster and easier ways to do the same old things. The Made Harder series proves that making things easier does not always make them better.

Faith, Philosophy, Scripture is a collection of ten path-breaking essays informed by Professor James E. Faulconer’s work as a philosopher and his abiding faith as a Latter-day Saint. “The confidence of my faith, a confidence that came by revelation,” Faulconer writes,” has allowed me to hear the questions of philosophy without fear, and philosophy has never asked me to give up my faith, though it has asked questions about it.” Faith is the starting point, scripture offers the data, and philosophy more supplement than competitor. Faith, philosophy, and scripture help make sense of each other. These essays ask what it means to remember; how faith and reason are related to each other; what the place of theology is in revealed religion; and how we can read scripture with fresh eyes. Taken together, Faulconer’s collection can show you how faith can center philosophy and scripture in a way that enriches a whole life.

In this essay James Faulconer, a BYU professor of philosophy and dean of honors, outlines some general suggestions for scripture study. He presents his extensive notes on Mosiah 4 to show the treasures that can be found by careful and thorough scripture study. His study methods include considering context, examining word meaning, and looking for patterns.

A challenge to Anthony Hutchinson’s article “LDS Approaches to the Holy Bible,” published in Dialogue.

Faulconer, though not a postmodernist himself, argues that postmodernism is misunderstood and should be evaluated more thoroughly. Accordingly, he compares postmodernism with modernism in an effort to provide a more complete view of the two schools of thought.

Latter-day Saint philosopher James E. Faulconer’s Made Harder series raises many more questions than it answers. And that is precisely the point. Faulconer wrote The New Testament Made Harder on the premise that scripture study is only as good as the questions we bring to the endeavor. While many scriptural guides provide useful chapter synopses, timelines, memorizable bullet-points, or shortcuts, this book consists almost entirely of challenging questions (with occasional commentary for clarity’s sake) because, in Faulconer’s experience, questions themselves are the key to reflective and deep scripture study. This book is intended to make reading harder—and therefore fresher—by priming your pondering pump with insightful study questions. So much of modern life is geared to finding faster and easier ways to do the same old things. The Made Harder series proves that making things easier does not always make them better.

Latter-day Saint philosopher James E. Faulconer’s Made Harder series raises many more questions than it answers. And that is precisely the point. Faulconer wrote The Old Testament Made Harder on the premise that our scripture study is only as good as the questions we bring to the endeavor. While many books about the Old Testament provide useful shortcuts, chapter synopses, timelines, and memorizable bullet-points, this book consists almost entirely of challenging questions (with occasional commentary for clarity’s sake) because, in Faulconer’s experience, questions themselves are the key to reflective and deep scripture study. This book is intended to make reading harder—and therefore fresher—by priming your pondering pump with insightful study questions. So much of modern life is geared to finding faster and easier ways to do the same old things. The Made Harder series is proof that making things easier does not always make them better.

This article studies human memory and discusses why remembering is integral aspect of making covenants with God.

The New Testament repeatedly refers to the Apocalypse, insinuating that the end of the world is forthcoming. However, Faulconer suggests that the Apocalypse must begin with a restoration of gospel truths, and such a restoration can occur on an individual level. When Christ taught about an Apocalypse, he may have been referring to the conversion that each person experiences as he or she accepts these truths.

The book of Romans can be difficult to understand, and it is used more than any other biblical book to challenge LDS doctrine. “When we understand Romans, it is obvious that not only need we not fear having others discuss Paul’s teachings, but we can use those very teachings to teach the truthfulness of the gospel understood through latter-day revelation.”
In commenting on Romans 1 verse by verse, author James E. Faulconer touches on such topics as faith, holiness, obedience, service to Christ, personal conversion and repentance, and becoming true saints. Romans 1: Notes and Reflections can be a valuable tool for those who are studying the book of Romans or looking for new ways to study other scripture.

Today the modernist view of history in which texts only represent events is so predominant that most Latter-day Saints automatically apply it to the question of scriptural historicity. Unfortunately, historical scholarship rarely lines up with our understanding of scripture as well as we would like. Problems arise when we use modernist tools to examine scripture written by premoderns, who considered their writing not as mere representation but as incarnation—an embodiment of the symbolic ordering of the world. The premodernist reading of the scriptures more accurately reflects Latter-day Saint beliefs: whereas modernism would use reason to understand history (and thus the Divine in history, i.e., scripture), premodernism uses divinely revealed scripture as well as ritual, ritual objects, and ritual language to give order to history. Instead of examining scripture as just another element of history, premoderns consider scripture to be the defining element in history.
The historicity of scripture is important to most Christians and especially to Latter-day Saints. [1] Christians disagree among themselves about how to understand scriptural history, but few deny that, in some important sense, Christian scripture is historical. However, given the challenges to scriptural history, challenges that are especially strong for Latter-day Saints who take the Book of Mormon to be historical, what are we to make of the claim that scriptures are history? Given those challenges, is it possible to understand scripture as literal history? The answer to that question—positive, I will argue—lies in answering the question of what we mean by history.

Cultivate your love for the scriptures and deepen your knowledge with the help of a scripture study process compiled by James E. Faulconer. Rich scripture study is facilitated by tools and techniques that help us focus on what the scriptures can teach us. This study aid offers pointers and suggestions that will familiarize beginning students of the scriptures with the many resources available to them, as well as help more experienced students improve the overall effectiveness of their scripture study.
In this fascinating book, Faulconer discusses a helpful method and the purpose of outlining, an in-depth method of cross-referencing, how to ask cogent and thought-provoking questions about the scriptures, the benefits of using dictionaries and concordances, the relation between words and ideas apparent through rhetorical studies, and using the valuable reference tools in the LDS edition of the scriptures. He then provides sample notes developed using the study tools he describes to show how research and pondering can make scripture study even more meaningful.

This is not an essay in the usual sense. Instead, it is a close reading of Moroni 10, looking verse by verse at what Mornoi might be teaching us. The overarching question is, to what does Moroni exhort us as he seals his book and writes his final words? Examining each of Morni’s eight exhortations, Faulconer shows one way to study scriptures and perhaps to think about them afresh. In addition to the importantadmonition to pray about the truth of the Book of Mormon, he sees in this chapter a message of God’s mercy and of our need for charity.

Review of Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 6 vols. (2007), by Brant A. Gardner.

Review of “Poetic Language in Nineteenth Century Mormonism: A Study of Semiotic Phenomenology in Communication and Culture” (1990), by Michiko Takayama

Abstract: In this essay, James E Faulconer confronts an age-old issue that seems to divide Latter-day Saint Christians from other Christians, namely, “what it means to say that God is transcendent and embodied.” Early Christians also believed that God is embodied and transcendent, but with important differences in how that seemingly paradoxical combination of assertions can be explained. In his brilliant analysis, Faulconer shows how God “transcends us because He is embodied.”
[Editor’s Note: Part of our book chapter reprint series, this article is reprinted here as a service to the LDS community. Original pagination and page numbers have necessarily changed, otherwise the reprint has the same content as the original.See James E. Faulconer, “The Transcendence of Flesh, Divine and Human,” in “To Seek the Law of the Lord”: Essays in Honor of John W. Welch, ed. Paul Y. Hoskisson and Daniel C. Peterson (Orem, UT: The Interpreter Foundation, 2017), 113–34. Further information at https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/to-seek-the-law-of-the-lord-essays-in-honor-of-john-w-welch-2/.].

Faulconer discusses the evolution of his testimony of the Book of Mormon; years passed before he recognized the importance of that book to his life as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After reading an article explaining the tree of life that is written about in 1 Nephi, he gained a deeper understanding of the purpose of the Book of Mormon—that the book prepares members of the church to enter into covenants with God in the temple and explains what those covenants are. In addition to that objective, the book testifies of and brings people to Jesus Christ.

Letters responding to C. L. Sainsbury’s letter (July/August issue) seeking inclusion of Nephite history on an international timeline. Contributors contend that no archaeological evidence exists for the Book of Mormon, point out the book’s similarity to the Bible, and enclose the Smithsonian Institution’s statement concerning the Book of Mormon.

Reviews the changes made in the 1981 edition of the triple combination. Book of Mormon changes are provided on pages B-1 and B-2.

Reviews the changes made in the 1981 edition of the triple combination. Book of Mormon changes are provided on pages B-1 and B-2.

In 1830 the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation that became known as the Articles and Covenants, later included in the Doctrine and Covenants as section 20. In this paper Scott Faulring discusses the emergence and significance of that revelation that would become a constitutional and procedural guide to regulating church affairs.

Concepts from the Book of Mormon contributed to how the church was built up and conducted. Oliver Cowdery was instructed to draw upon the Book of Mormon in formulating his vision of how the restored church should be organized and regulated. His 1829 Articles of the Church of Christ were a precursor to Joseph Smith’s 1830 Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ (now known as Doctrine and Covenants 20). Three key aspects of church organization that originated in the Book of Mormon include baptism and priesthood authority, the ordination of priests and teachers, and the administration of the Lord’s supper.

The 1829 “Articles of the Church of Christ” is a little-known antecedent to section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants. This article explores Joseph Smith’s and Oliver Cowdery’s involvement in bringing forth these two documents that were important in laying the foundation for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Section 20 was originally labeled the “Articles and Covenants.” It was the first revelation canonized by the restored Church and the most lengthy revelation given before the first priesthood conference was held in June 1830. Scriptural commentators in recent years have described the inspired set of instructions in section 20 as “a constitution for the restored church.” In many respect, the Articles and Covenants was the Church’s earliest General Handbook of Instructions. Although Latter-day Saints typically associate the Articles and Covenants with the organization of the Church on April 6, 1830, this regulatory document had roots in earlier events: in the earliest latter-day revelations, in statements on Church ordinances and organization from the Book of Mormon, and in the preliminary set of Articles written by Oliver Cowdery in the last half of 1829.

The latter-day restoration of the gospel included the restoration of much significant truth to the Bible. It brought about the restoration of biblical history that had been lost and the restoration of biblical texts that had been changed or omitted or were in need of clarification. More important, it included the restoration of biblical doctrine that had been either removed, distorted, or simply misinterpreted by a world that did not enjoy the fulness of the gospel.
Shortly after the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint was organized, the Prophet Joseph Smith was instructed by the Lord to undertake a careful reading of the Bible to revise and make corrections in accordance with the inspiration that he would receive. The result was a work of profound significance for the Church that included the revelation of many important truths and the restoration of many of the “precious things” that the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi had foretold would be taken from the Bible (1 Ne. 13:23–29). In June 1830 the first revealed addition to the Bible was set to writing. Over the next three years, the Prophet made changes, additions, and corrections as were given him by divine inspiration while he filled his calling to provide a more correct translation for the Church. Collectively, these are called the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), a name first applied in the 1970s, or the New Translation, as Joseph Smith and others in his day referred to it.

This chapter documents Oliver’s position as the main scribe of the Book of Mormon translation in 1829.

Review of In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith (1997), by Todd M. Compton

Reproduces 1 Nephi 1:1, 1 Nephi 6:8-9; 2 Nephi 3:24-66 (RLDS versification) to demonstrate the elements of Hebrew poetry found in each passage. Briefly discusses poetic parallelism.

Our commitment should be to be educated well—broadly with a humility that opens us to the widest possibilities for knowledge and hopefully, with an eye to how learning can enable us to contribute to a better future, not just for ourselves but for all the world.

Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement. Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more fully.

The full benefit of forgiveness of sin through the Savior’s Atonement begins with repentance and baptism and then expands upon receiving the Holy Ghost.

Brigham Young died with the name Joseph upon his lips. He spoke of him and his work in these words: “I honor and revere the name of Joseph Smith. I delight to hear it; I love it.

The priesthood of God has become the eminent power for good in the world. … This great power … has been entrusted to us; we must not weaken it by failing in our responsibilities.

Those called, sustained, and set apart are entitled to our sustaining support.

Tomorrow’s blessings and opportunities depend on the choices we make today.

To those brokenhearted parents who have been righteous, diligent, and prayerful in the teaching of their disobedient children, we say to you, the Good Shepherd is watching over them.

Please help us push back the world. We must stand against the wind. Sometimes we must be unpopular and simply say, “This is not right.”

We should keep our lives in order so that when we receive a … message telling us what the Lord wants us to do we will be able to respond.

One of the greatest blessings of life and eternity is to be counted as one of the devoted disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Each of us needs to train ourselves to be bold, disciplined, and loyal men of the priesthood who are prepared with the proper weapons to fight against evil and to win.

Maintaining our spiritual strength is … a daily challenge. The greatest source of that spiritual strength comes … from our temples.

As I look back over my life, I recognize one source of singular strength and blessing. It is my testimony and knowledge that Jesus is the Christ.

If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being.